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Looking for a realistic and rewarding way to explore Phnom Penh in just two days? This walking itinerary is designed for travelers who want to dive in Cambodia’s capital at a slow pace without taxis or tuk-tuks.

Whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or on a budget, this 2-day Phnom Penh itinerary shows you the best of the city through its royal heritage, moving history, riverside culture, and hidden street food gems, all within walking distance from a centrally located hotel.

A Quick Look at Phnom Penh’s Past

Before you start exploring, here’s a little backstory on Phnom Penh, it helps make sense of the places you’ll walk through.

The city was named after Wat Phnom, a small hilltop temple built in the 1300s. Legend says a woman named Penh found sacred statues in the river and built a shrine for them, hence Phnom Penh (“Hill of Penh”).

It became Cambodia’s capital in the 1800s and was later shaped by the French during colonial times which explains the wide boulevards and old French-style buildings still around today.

But Phnom Penh also carries the scars of a darker past. In 1975, the Khmer Rouge took over and forced everyone out of the city. It became a ghost town almost overnight. Schools were turned into prisons like Tuol Sleng, which you can visit today and over a million people were killed during that regime.

Fast forward to now: Phnom Penh is a city rebuilding with energy, resilience, and pride. It’s messy, lively, soulful and walking it is the best way to really feel it.

Day 1: Royal Heritage, Riverside Walks & Cultural Sights

Morning: Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda

Start your day with Phnom Penh’s crown jewel: the Royal Palace. This sprawling complex is home to the Throne Hall, Moonlight Pavilion, and the Silver Pagoda, which houses priceless Buddhist artifacts.

• Opening hours: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
• Entry fee: ~$10 USD
• Dress code: No shorts or sleeveless tops

Tip: Arrive early to avoid the heat and crowds. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and water, there’s very little shade inside.

Late Morning: Coffee Break on Street 240

After the palace, walk north toward Street 240, a quiet, shady stretch lined with cafés and boutiques.

• ARTillery Café: Great for smoothies, vegan bowls, and chill vibes
• The Shop 240: Belgian-run bakery with fantastic coffee and pastries

This is a perfect place to cool off, do a little people-watching, and maybe pick up a local handicraft or book.

Midday: National Museum of Cambodia

ocated right across from the Royal Palace, the National Museum of Cambodia offers a fascinating look at the country’s deep history and Khmer civilization. The terracotta building and courtyard gardens are peaceful and photogenic.

• Entry fee: ~$10 USD
• Allow 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Take your time inside especially the Angkorian sculpture section.

Afternoon: Riverside Walk + Wat Ounalom

As the sun cools down, head toward Sisowath Quay, Phnom Penh’s riverside promenade. Walk north toward Wat Ounalom, one of the city’s most important pagodas, dating back to 1443.

Locals gather here in the late afternoon you’ll see monks, school kids, and street vendors selling snacks and sugarcane juice.

Evening: Dinner + Phnom Penh Night Market

After your riverside walk, you’re in the perfect spot to check out the Phnom Penh Night Market (Phsar Reatrey). It opens around 5:00 PM and is a short walk north along Sisowath Quay, right across from the river.

Here’s what you’ll find:

• Street food stalls with grilled meats, noodles, fresh fruit, and local desserts
• Souvenirs, t-shirts, and handmade crafts
• Sometimes live music or karaoke on the small stage

Tip: The food area is cash-only. Grab a few small-dollar bills and try a little of everything especially the banana pancakes and skewers.

Dinner option: Either snack your way through the market or eat first at one of the riverside restaurants (like Bopha Phnom Penh or Friends) and browse the market afterward.

End your night with a slow stroll back down the riverside it’s well-lit, breezy, and full of local life.

Day 2: History, Local Markets & Culture

Morning: Traditional Khmer Breakfast

Start your second day with a Khmer breakfast try Bai Sach Chrouk (grilled pork and rice) from a local food stall or head to a café like Brown Coffee or Backyard Café for something more Western.

Mid-Morning: Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21)

One of the most important and sobering things to do in Phnom Penh is visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, located in a former high school that became a prison during the Khmer Rouge regime.

• Entry fee: ~$5 USD, or $10 with audio guide
• Walking time: 30–35 minutes from the palace area

This visit is emotionally heavy but essential for understanding Cambodia’s recent past.

Note: Be respectful when taking photos. Many visitors stay silent throughout the experience.

Lunch: Romdeng or Khmer Surin

After Tuol Sleng, head back toward the center and stop at:

• Romdeng: A training restaurant with a beautiful garden setting, known for fish amok and tarantula (yes, the fried kind).
• Khmer Surin: Traditional décor and rich Khmer curries; a good place to relax and digest emotionally after the museum.

Afternoon: Markets – Central or Russian?

Pick a market depending on what you’re into:

• Central Market (Phsar Thmey):
  • Just 20 minutes walking from the palace area.
  • Art Deco building with jewelry, souvenirs, and local snacks.
  • Great for architecture lovers and casual browsing.
• Russian Market (Phsar Toul Tom Poung):
  • 35 minutes on foot or take a tuk-tuk.
  • Tighter packed, more local, better for clothes, fabrics, and street food.

Either market gives you a real sense of Phnom Penh’s daily life.

Optional: Massage or Rooftop Sunset

You’ve walked a lot. Time to reward yourself.

• Bodia Spa: Mid-range spa with amazing oil massages.
• Seeing Hands Massage: Affordable massages by trained visually impaired therapists.
• Sundown Social Club: Rooftop bar with relaxed vibes, just off Russian Market.

Where to Stay: Central & Walkable

Look for hotels or guesthouses on or near Street 178 or 184, ideally between Sisowath Quay (the riverside) and Preah Ang Eng Street. Some solid picks:

• Plantation Urban Resort & Spa: Boutique vibes, leafy garden pool, 5-minute walk to the Palace.
• Palace Gate Hotel: Mid-range, great location right near the palace walls.
• Okay Boutique Hotel: A little kitschy but charming rooftop and very walkable.

Tips for 2 Days in Phnom Penh

• Stay hydrated: It’s easy to get dehydrated when walking around. Grab electrolyte drinks at any convenience store.
• Dress modestly: Especially when visiting temples or museums.
• Cash is king: USD is widely accepted in Phnom Penh. Always carry small bills.
• Street crossing tip: Walk slowly and predictably, the traffic will flow around you.

Final Thoughts: Is 2 Days in Phnom Penh Enough?

Yes, but only if you do it right. Phnom Penh is compact, intense, and deeply rewarding. In just 2 days, you can experience Cambodia’s royal history, taste its delicious cuisine, explore its resilience, and catch golden sunsets on the Mekong.

By walking the city, you connect more deeply with it, the smell of incense outside a temple, the laughter of school kids on break, the quiet moments in a museum garden.